Inspired by must-see-TV? Yup.

To say I'm excited by the new fall TV line-up would be a mild understatement. I'm borderline obsessed. I blame it all on my new Global TV iPhone app.

My friend Sue told me a few weeks ago that I could watch episodes of Days of our Lives if I downloaded the app, which has pretty much ruined my late-afternoon writing time (bad, Sue!) On the flip side, I'm much happier to make dinner or do other household chores, since my "TV" is portable. Nothing like folding laundry while watching Bo and Hope proclaim their undying love...again.

But Friday I was feeling kind of blue - a day for regrets, self-doubt, and wishing I had a time machine. (*end of pity party starts now*) Instead of writing productively, I watched a hella lot of TV on my Global app. I've already bookmarked a few of my favourites.

Like Sarah Michelle Gellar's new series, Ringer. I was NOT a Buffy fan. *ducks* And Ringer is being trashed by reviewers. But I've seen the first two episodes and have already added it to my "must-see-TV" list. Hubby...not as impressed.

So what's this got to do with Adam Garcia, this week's muse avatar?

In addition to my standbys, Supernatural, Vampire Diaries, Glee, and now Ringer, I've fallen head over heels for the police/crime drama, Prime Suspect. I love the grittiness of it, and I've always been a fan of Maria Bello, who I first saw on Coyote Ugly.


She starred alongside Garcia. Between his sexy accent, his adorable addiction to comic books, and his unwavering support of his girlfriend's talent (when she isn't shaking it on the bar), I challenge any girl not to have a crush on him. He's freaking cute!

I've been dabbling in TV scripts for a while now, and this weekend found myself ankle deep in a new idea (surprise!) that I *must* explore - even for a few hours. Although I don't think Adam is on the small screen (or any screen lately, for that matter), he reminds me of Maria Bello and my new show addiction, Prime Suspect. And of course, my new project...

I doubt he'll keep me on track (the non-new WIP list continues to collect dust) but he may just provide the inspiration I'm looking for to explore this new venture. And isn't that what a muse is for?

I'm almost afraid to ask...have I missed any of the season's great new shows? (I'm patiently waiting for Once Upon a Time and Dexter...) What's on your "must-see-TV" list?

Happy Monday!

- Dawn

The Book In My Bag Today: The Hypnotist, Lars Keplar

An aMUSEing hybrid

In anticipation of the new season of The Vampire Diaries - and thus the thrilling return of Ian Somerhalder to my television screen, dreams, and Monday morning blog posts - I'd almost glossed over other potential muse avatars.

That is, until my stepdaughter and I watched the season premiere on Thursday, and I was reminded of Joseph Morgan, who stars as Klaus - an even "badder" vampire than Damon. Shocking, I know. (He's actually a hybrid...a were/vamp...but um, that's irrelevant here...)


Despite my not-so-secret attraction to bad boys, the "once-morally driven-now-serial killer" Stefan isn't quite up to muse-inspiring par.


Klaus is. Big time.


There's something compelling about his character, and his portrayal of it. Klaus is clearly a bad-ass, but he does his dirty work with charm, and a killer, melt-inducing smirk. I want to look away, but there's this naughty twinkle in his eye that paralyzes me like a male Medusa.


I love the dynamics of his character, and am hopeful Joseph Morgan will be up for some one-to-one discussion about what makes Klaus tick - and how he can be so awesomely evil, but so freaking sexy as the same time. 


- Dawn


The Book In My Bag Today: The Hypnotist, Lars Keplar   

In anticipation of the muse

Don't even get me started about last night's finale of True Blood. I'm as undecided about it as I was many of the story lines throughout the season.

One thing I DO know is that I'm going to be waiting a heck of a long time for another dose of Eric. I may have to return to the books to tide me over - or start watching the series again.

Thankfully, my other muse-worthy vampire is back this week. The season premiere of Vampire Diaries airs this Thursday, and I can't wait. In addition to getting my weekly fill of IAN SOMERHALDER (Damon), I'm also guaranteed some one-on-one time with my stepdaughter.

We've actually bonded over our Salvatore brother rivalry.

As far as Mondays go, this one hasn't been great (and it's still early...) Very little writing happened over the weekend, which means I'm behind. Shocker, I know.

Here's hoping Ian can help me get over Eric (ha!) and excel at his job as muse avatar. Should be a piece of cake - he's been cast in this role so many times he could do it with his eyes closed. Personally, I hope he keeps them open. He has amazing eyes.

- Dawn

The Book In My Bag Today: The Hypnotist, Lars Kepler

Those were the DAYS muse

Over a year ago, when I started Muse Avatar Monday, Jensen Ackles was my first muse. Seriously, do you blame me?

So every once in a while, like when I'm starting something fresh - or simply gearing up for a new season of Supernatural, I like to bring him back. Surprisingly, I've not heard any complaints.

But Jensen's purpose as muse avatar this Monday is actually three-fold.

Long before he was Dean on Supernatural, Jensen played Brady on the daytime soap opera Days of Our Lives. No really - would I lie about that?

Check out this clip. (It's long, but you'll get the idea in the first 30 seconds.)



I've actually been crushing on him since then, because Days is my guilty pleasure. Last week, my friend Sue introduced me to an iPhone app that lets me catch up on Days - while I'm making dinner. Or riding passenger on the way home from work. Or suffering insomnia. Why the heck didn't I think of that?

Watching Days is like going home. My Nona and I used to watch it when I was a kid - and I'm not surprised that some of the plot lines and power couples are still the same. (Confession: I once wrote "Bo and Hope Forever" on one my school binders. Sad, I know.)

This writing week, I'm going back to an old project, working on a new WIP, and uh, gearing up for Supernatural. In several ways. I can't think of a better muse avatar than Jensen.

Happy Monday!

- Dawn


The Book In My Bag Today: The Hypnotist, Lars Keplar

Welcome back, Bad Boy Muse

Oh Eric, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

At least 30 - as in the last 30 seconds of True Blood last night. If I still had a PVR, I might have rewound that scene 100 times or more. All four of the key Bon Temps vamps, even Bill (*gasp*) looked so freaking bad ass - I loved it!

(But what the heck is going on with the Bon Temps women? Sookie should be smacked up the side of the head for breaking Eric's heart and uh, Debbie, you've got ALCIDE and you're looking to hook up with Marcus? Wrong on so many levels.)

I've been sitting on the fence about this season of True Blood, enjoying some of the sub plot lines, and hating the rest - but in terms of characterization (and sheer hotness), Eric Northman has been spot on. In last night's episode Alex Skarsgard showed vulnerability, love, and power. I believed Every. Word.

That's the kind of authenticity I need for my (many) projects this week. And though the cast of True Blood has monopolized Muse Avatar Monday as of late, I'm more than thrilled to welcome back this bad boy - on screen and off.

Need an Alex pic sans the other three vamps? Happy to oblige this Muse Avatar Monday morning:

- Dawn

The Book In My Bag Today: The Hypnotist, Lars Kepler

Alpha muse

Aside from being a great source of inspiration for what *can* be done with book and TV series cross-overs, True Blood is a buffet of hot muse avatar options.

I almost always choose Eric...because let's face it, Alex Skarsgard is impressive, whether he's being good or bad. He's made my avatar list almost as many times as Ian Somerhalder...and that's saying a lot.

But lately I've been seeing a lot of Alcide - Bon Temps' hottest werewolf - on the cover of several men's muscle magazines. And heck, why not? His abs (and arms, and shoulders, and...) are nothing to sneeze at.

Plus, he's got that rugged kind of look, ideal for this week's writerly motivation. I've got some tough revisions ahead, which means getting back to basics and unearthing the root of the story. Somehow in my quest for the "right" word pairings, I lost sight of the simple things.

Like identifying a clear antagonist. Oy.

If I have to rely on someone to steer me back on track, Joe Manganiello is a good choice. Unless of course he distracts me...

- Dawn

The Book In My Bag Today: The Hypnotist, Lars Kepler

Muse across time

"John Connor gave me a picture of you once. I didn't know why at the time. It was very old - torn, faded. You were young like you are now. You seemed just a little sad. I used to always wonder what you were thinking at that moment. I memorized every line, every curve. I came across time for you Sarah. I love you; I always have. "John Connor gave me a picture of you once. I didn't know why at the time. It was very old - torn, faded. You were young like you are now. You seemed just a little sad. I used to always wonder what you were thinking at that moment. I memorized every line, every curve. I came across time for you Sarah. I love you; I always have." 

I love that Terminator quote.

Almost as much as I love the character who delivered it. Michael Biehn - the original Kyle Reese - pretty much ruined me for all other men. I regard him as my first real crush - even before Michael Pare in Streets of Fire, and Poison's Rikki Rockett. *blush* 

At Thrillerfest several years ago in New York, Dr. D.P. Lyle analyzed Terminator, dubbing it one of the most classic examples of a thriller. I agree, but I'd go a little further and deem it a pretty spectacular romance as well. Of course the action is what creates the thriller-esque pacing (not to mention Arnie looking all creepy and psycho robotic), but it's the dialogue that sets my heart aflutter. (And, uh, Kyle's abs...)

I'm doing a lot of script-work this week. Dialogue is so important in many writing forms, but for scripts and screenplays, it's imperative. You don't have the option to fall back on description, no matter how brilliant. The audience will remember the cinematography if the show is good, but they'll only remember the writer behind it if the characters' voices stand out.

Sometimes when I watch Terminator, I pause it just after "I came across time for you, Sarah" trying to analyze what makes that single sentence more memorable to me than "You had me at hello." (I can never remember what movie that's from!) Over the next few days, I'm going to pause after every line of dialogue I write and hold it up to Kyle Reese standards.

Oh heck, why stop there? Seems I should just print off this picture and hold it up to his image, no? Welcome back, Kyle - you're a perfect muse avatar for this week.

- Dawn

The Book In My Bag Today: The Hypnotist, Lars Kepler